ZRP arrests over 20 000 illegal gold miners

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested more than 28 000 illegal gold miners across the country, it has emerged.

The arrests have been implemented under operation code named “Isitsheketsha kasiphele/Chikorokoza ngachipere and No to machete gangs”

146 were arrested over the past week bringing the total to 28 037 as police intensifies its crackdown on illegal gold miners.

In a statement National Police Spokes Person Paul Nyati said, “On 12/8/21, Police arrested 146 people involved in illegal mining activities across the country. “

“28 037 people have been arrested since the commencement of the operation code named, “Chikorokoza ngachipere/ isitsheketsha kasiphele / no to machete gangs.”

Police launched the operation in January following increased reports of illegal gold panning in the country, with the surfacing of Machete gangs in various provinces.

Zimbabwe has been losing a lot of gold to illegal gold smuggling.
According to government statistics, the bulk of the gold is extracted by artisanal and small-scale miners who are responsible for 63% of the recorded production.

In most cases, the artisanal miners operate illegally and do not sell the mineral to the state-owned buyer.